Chemical Peels and Facelift Surgery

By Sheryl Pilcher on May 31, 2013

As patients age, the face experience several changes, from sagging and wrinkles to dark spots and uneven skin tone. For patients considering an anti-aging, rejuvenating makeover at Dr. Sheryl Pilcher’s San Antonio plastic surgery center, two procedures that work well together are a facelift and chemical peel.

Together, these procedures even the skin tone, tighten loose facial skin, and reduce the look of sagging jowls. A chemical peel can be done at the same time as the facelift, enhancing the results of treatment.

What’s Involved in a Facelift?

For patients in San Antonio, facelift surgery reduces the effects of aging with a simple outpatient surgery that produces a natural look. A facelift procedure can erase years from a patient’s appearance.

At Accent Plastic Surgery, P.A., in San Antonio, Dr. Pilcher utilizes local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia so that patients are fully relaxed and asleep during the procedure.

Facelift surgery is slightly different for each patient’s unique face and goals, but usually involves an incision that extends from the hairline at the temple around the earlobe, ending at the bottom of the hairline, and a possible incision below the chin to tighten neck skin.

The skin is separated from the fat layer below it, and any excess fat deposits are removed for a sleeker look. Then, the layer of tissue below the skin is tightened, which improves the look of the cheeks and the jaw. Finally, the skin layer is re-stretched over the face to the desired effect, and excess skin is removed. The skin is stitched back into the place, hidden below the hairline and in natural creases of the skin (below the chin and at the ear line).

After an evaluation of the work, patients are taken off of their anesthesia and allowed to naturally awaken. The whole surgery usually averages two to four hours. Post-surgery, patients will usually experience swelling, bruising, tenderness, and some pain. These effects usually will alleviate within a few weeks, and Dr. Pilcher recommends follow-up appointments to ensure that the healing process is occurring as planned.

What’s Involved in a Chemical Peel?

Many of Dr. Pilcher’s San Antonio patients choose to undergo a chemical peel before or after their facelift procedure. Chemical peels improve the uniformity of skin and reduce dark spots and redness from the face, while improving texture and suppleness. The procedure is one of the least invasive procedures offering some of the most transformative results.

During the chemical peel procedure, the patient’s skin is cleansed and the eyes and hair are covered with protective treatments. Dr. Pilcher utilizes a mild acid that sloughs off dead skin, revealing newer, suppler skin below. The process reveals new skin below that may be tender post surgery, but has fewer wrinkles, dark spots, and imperfections. Post-chemical peel, patients will experience some tenderness and need to keep the face moisturized and out of the sun for several weeks.

Dr. Pilcher is proud to offer many skin rejuvenating procedures and plastic surgery procedures that can be combined to achieve a desired look. For more information on these and all of the procedures she offers, contact Accent Plastic Surgery today to set up a confidential, informative consultation.